Manama:His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has awarded Max Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racing as the champion of the 2026 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. This marked the 22nd edition of the event, which was held in Malaysia.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the event took place with the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. His Royal Highness congratulated all podium finishers, including Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes-AMG Petronas and Sir Lewis Hamilton of Scuderia Ferrari HP, who secured second and third places, respectively.
His Royal Highness emphasized the significance of hosting international sporting events as a foundational element of Bahrain's global sports presence and praised the cooperation that contributed to the success of this year's race. He highlighted Bahrain's expertise in motorsports and the positive impact such events have on the Kingdom's international standing and national development.
The Crown Prince also expressed gratitude to the King of Malaysia and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for their support, as well as to Formula 1, the F©d©ration Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), Petronas Sepang International Circuit, and all participating teams for their role in the event's success.
He acknowledged the strengthened relations between Bahrain and Malaysia, underscoring the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation. His Royal Highness praised Team Bahrain's effort in organizing the event outside the Kingdom, noting their expertise and resilience in overcoming challenges to ensure the race's success.
During the event, the Crown Prince toured the circuit, engaging with motorsport enthusiasts and inspecting the facilities before the race commenced.